I noticed that to buy an off road Patriot, you need to buy a special off road package. That did not seem to exist for the Liberty, though skid plates were an option. Does that mean that the Liberty comes off road ready, except for skid plates (which I assume could be added whenever)? There was also a special transmission option....

The Liberty is off road ready BUT please please please get tow hooks and skid plates before you go. I made the same mistake and didnt have a rear tow hook and got stuck in mud and had a Dodge Ram Hemi sitting there with tow straps and nothing to clamp onto. Dont make the same mistake

Skids are a piece of cake except for the gas skid which is easier with 2 people. The front hooks to PROPERLY install and torque correctly need the front bumper removed which really isnt as bad as it sounds and the rear tow hooks are a piece of cake